Was Sebastian Vettel Ousted From Ferrari Because of Charles Leclerc? Mattia Binotto Responds
Follow Us
via Getty
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari talk after practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
When it was announced last year that Sebastian Vettel was leaving Ferrari, many were left shocked. Some believed that the German was parting ways with the team because of tension with his teammate, Charles Leclerc. However, the team principal of the Italian team, Mattia Binotto feels that wasn’t the case at all.
Things went sour for the two of them in the 2019 season. Leclerc managed to beat Vettel by coming fourth in the driver’s standings, and adding to their problems was the pair’s crash in Brazil. This ruined their partnership till the point of no return.
Now with the four-time champion at Aston Martin and Carlos Sainz replacing him at the Scuderia, Binotto can finally reveal why Ferrari and Vettel went their separate ways for the new season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sebastian Vettel had no hostility from Leclerc, says Binotto
Speaking to RaceFans, the team boss said, “No, no, no – what happened in 2019 was not the reason. When we had the lockdown at the start of last year it was the time for us to decide [on our future driver line-up].”
via Getty
SPA, BELGIUM – Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari, Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari stand for a minutes silence in tribute to the late Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert on the Formula 3 grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“It was even more important to decide very soon simply out of full respect to ourselves, and to Sebastian to give him the opportunity to find another seat. The fact that today he’s driving for Aston Martin, I’m very happy with that,” Binotto concluded.
Trending
Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat
April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT
F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco
April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT
“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out
April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT
What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP
April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT
F1 Rumor: Oliver Bearman to Join Haas as Nico Hulkenberg Leaves Seat Empty to Join Kick Sauber Team
April 26, 2024 10:45 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Watch Story: Ferrari Strategy Fails We Will Never Forget
How’s the German doing in his new chapter at Aston Martin?
Vettel has joined the Silverstone-based team for the 2021 season. However, things got off to a rough start for the German as he struggled to get used to the car and earn points for his team in the championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
His first signs of improvement came at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he qualified eighth and finished fifth place, earning ten points – his first of the season.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
Now, Vettel prepares himself for the sixth round of the championship, which is set to take place in the streets of Baku. He hopes to achieve a similar result.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Has Seb really found his form again? Or was Monaco a one-off event? We will just have to wait for the weekend to find out.
Azerbaijan GP: Vettel Explains Key to a “Good Result” for Aston Martin
Written by:
